Rayne Connell played a key defensive role for CK Monday. (Philip Hall)
RADNOR, Pa. – Christ the King feels its matured at just the right time.
The Royals have rued not closing out wins against nationally ranked teams this season, but there was no such problem in a 62-50 victory over host Archbishop Carroll (Pa.) in non-league girls basketball yesterday.
The Patriots, ranked No. 19 in the country according to USA Today, are CK’s second straight win over a top-tier opponent after beating Trenton Catholic (N.J.) on Sunday.
“This is really like a growing step for us,” junior guard Bria Smith said. “It had everyone, even the people on the bench, step up and go do what they had to do. It just shows what we have to be doing in the playoffs.”
Ariel Edwards had 21 points and seven rebounds and Smith added 14 points and seven rebounds as both played the entire fourth quarter with four fouls. Nia Oden had 12 points, Rayne Connell had six points, seven rebounds and four assists and Jackie Michel added six points. Connell held Carroll’s Erin Shields (25 points and five 3-pointers) to just 10 points in the second half, after she scored 15 in the second quarter. Meghan Creighton added nine points.
“I like what I saw,” CK coach Bob Mackey said. “They didn’t back down.”
The Royals (19-5) led nearly the whole way. The Patriots (19-3) cut what was a 14-point second-quarter lead to 34-28 at the half thanks to an aerial display from Shields. The sophomore hit two NBA-range 3-pointers to pull Carroll back into the game as CK was tagged with an inordinate amount of holding fouls that put Oden, Edwards and Smith all in foul trouble.
“I was looking for anything,” Mackey said of stopping Shields. “Philly cheese steak. I was going to buy her a pizza. That was a show.”
He found the answer in Connell. The sophomore made Shields put the ball on the floor and said she tried to use her length as an advantage. It made it hard for Shields to see the basket and helped force a number of errant passes in the fourth quarter. The Patriots cut their deficit to four multiple times in the third, but never got closer.
CK led 44-38 heading into the fourth, even with the Penn-State bound Edwards missing a majority the third quarter. Edwards and Oden each hit two free throws to extend the lead to 10. Shields would hit a 3-pointer, but Edwards responded by knocking down a short jumper and Smith finished strong to the rim to put CK up 54-43 with 5:22 left in the game.
“Everyone realized we cannot come this close and let games slip by us,” Edwards said.
Christ the King had chances to knock off nationally-ranked Long Beach Poly (Calif.) and Malcolm X. Shabazz (N.J.) and lost to an excellent St. John Vianney (N.J.) team Saturday. The hope is that getting over the hump could get them more consideration for a national ranking of its own and have the Royals ready for a New York State Federation Class AA title run.
“It’s preparing us for the playoffs,” Connell said. “I think we are capable of anything.”
